Chapter 204 - Buying The Wedding Dress

Inside the luxury mall at the center of the city, Cora Ma and Zoey headed to one of the famous designer boutiques. Cora Ma had come to this mall before, but not this particular shop. 

After all, Cora Ma was a simple writer whose income was just above average. Therefore, to be in such a place, she knew that they must've booked an appointment as this boutique was not just for anyone. 

Although Zion Kwan was a remarkable doctor with his status quo, yet their current situation right now, a grand wedding wouldn't be a wise decision. Thus, why would Zoey drag her in this place? Did she even make an appointment in the first place? 

As far as Cora Ma knows, they should have made an appointment for at least two weeks or months. Does that mean Zoey foreseen that this would happen? Regardless, that's not the main point. 

"Z..." Tugging the hem of Zoey's blouse, Cora Ma darted her conflicted gaze from the boutique's front to her. "Why are we here?" She muttered, almost whispering as Zoey and Cora Ma dressed rather casually — with Zoey in a plain blouse, jeans, and stilettoes while Cora Ma in her simple polo shirt and jeans matched with her old sneakers — in such a prestigious place. 

"Wedding dress, isn't it obvious?" Arching her right brow, Zoey stared at Cora Ma in dismay for such a stupid question. 

"I mean, why here? How did you manage to make an appointment and we aren't planning a grand wedding." Leaning closer, Cora Ma whispered as her eyes wandered around as if being careful for no apparent reason. "Also, did you say we'll meet your friend? Where's she?" Cora Ma added, recalling the main reason she agreed with Zoey when she said she knew a capable person that could make Cora Ma's wedding dress at a cheap price. 

"Yeah, we're meeting my friend shortly but I want to see the designs here." Confused at Cora Ma's reluctance, Zoey cocked her head to the side as she knitted her brows. 

Just before Cora Ma could respond, a familiar voice assailed Zoey's ears that made her roll her eyes. 'Perfect! God truly loves me!' Zoey praised the Lord internally as she could use this chance to vent her frustration like a child. 

"Miss Zhou?" Behind them, Clara Wei along with three of her friends approached them. 

"Oh, it's Miss Wei! My day will never be perfect without seeing such beauty!" Turning to face the cluster of elegant women, Zoey smiled as she complimented Clara Wei's vibrant stature. 

"Oh, no, Miss Zhou, you flatter me so much." Acting a little shy, Clara Wei chuckled as she slightly shook her head and waved her hand. 

As she did so, her gaze traveled from Zoey's almost non-existent makeup down to her plain colored heels. Not bad, if Clara Wei was going to be honest. However, Zoey was quite underdressed with the boutique standards if that's where they were heading. 

"Hehe. I'm just saying the truth!��� Humoring her back, Zoey grinned as she noticed how Clara Wei scrutinized her and Cora Ma before she secretly snorted. 

"Are you planning to go inside? I came here to do the first fitting of my wedding dress. Are you perhaps...?" Clara Wei's words trailed off, darting her questioning gaze from Zoey to her company Cora Ma. 

"We're looking for a wedding dress and this place seems very gorgeous." Feigning ignorance to Clara Wei's hints, Zoey answered with a stupid smile. 

Alas, her answer incited snorts from Clara Wei's lackey. "Wedding dress? For who? You?" One of Clara Wei's lackeys chimed in, her tone was arrogant, obviously finding Zoey's ignorant answer as an opening to hound her. 

"Sister Abi, please watch your tone." Acting as the kind heroine, Clara Wei warned yet her tone wouldn't even threaten an insect. 

"Sister Clara, I'm just asking. After all, Miss Zhou did mention back in your engagement party that she would marry the fake — I mean, Mr. Xi." The woman answered, snickering at the slip of her tongue upon mentioning the word fake. 

"Miss Zhou, do you even know that you have to make an appointment to enter the place?" Another Clara Wei's lackey joined in the fun, gazing at Zoey from head to toe as if she's an inferior being. 

"Girls, I know Miss Zhou isn't ignorant to go in here without making an appointment." Sounding shy, Clara Wei glanced at Zoey bearing her apologetic eyes for her friend's words. 

Alas, Zoey wouldn't be so foolish to fall for her trick. After all, if Clara Wei was so sorry, why wouldn't she stop her friends from coming at her? Unless, she liked what they were doing; speaking the words Clara Wei couldn't utter bluntly as she has an image to keep. How conceited!

"Uhm, I did?" Arching her right brow, Zoey couldn't wrap her head around how these young ladies thought she would come in a place without knowing a bit of it. 

Did they really believe her nonsense remark earlier? How gullible! Now, Zoey wondered if she says she'll go bankrupt, would they also believe it? Having these thoughts, Zoey was genuinely tempted to try. 

"So you're getting married?" Clara Wei's eyes gleamed, sincerely excited about the news. 

Well, she has all the reasons to get excited as Zoey tying the knot would lessen her chances of seducing Ezekiel Tang whenever she's bored. Moreover, Zoey marrying a man without any merits aside from his good face and having the same name as the Xi Matthew of the XI Corporation brought a great sense of superiority in Clara Wei's heart. 

"Well..." Pondering on the answer, Zoey glanced at Cora Ma. Considering that Cora Ma and Zion Kwan eloped and this wedding would be a secret wedding, Zoey decided not to tell Clara Wei. After all, Zoey didn't care whether the latter would misunderstand. Hell, she wouldn't even get affected if Clara Wei insulted her right now as her words bore zero value. 

"I can feel that my handsome darling will propose to me, so..." Shrugging her shoulders in confidence, Zoey giggled which she received an unamused gaze from Clara Wei's lackey. 

"Anyway, we better go in. See you around~" Zoey diverted the subject with a smile. Seeing Clara Wei smile and nod in understanding, Zoey dragged Cora Ma to the entrance of the boutique. 

"Z..." Cora Ma who had been silent earlier clipped her fingers on Zoey's pinky as she raised her reluctant eyes. "I don't think..." However, Cora Ma's words were left unspoken as Zoey interrupted her. 

"Sis, you only marry once and you'd be marrying none other than my big brother. How can I let your already secret wedding look pathetic with the world seemingly against you two?" Zoey turned and faced Cora Ma, placing her hand on both her shoulders as she leveled her eyes with her. 

"Also, didn't I promise you that I'd surely shoulder your wedding gown's expense once you marry? To think about it, I actually saved a few thousands because you're marrying my brother. To put it simply, this is my gift as your best fried and future sister-in-law." Tilting her head to the side, Zoey grinned as she was only buying one wedding gown instead of two. After all, she also made a promise to Zion Kwan that once he got engaged, Zoey would give his wife a wedding dress. 

Hearing that Zoey could still remember her promise which Cora Ma nearly forgot. She was moved at how Zoey never failed to keep her promises. Hence, she nodded her head as she smiled in agreement. 

With that being said, Zoey and Cora Ma headed inside. As soon as they entered the glamorous boutique, they were welcomed by a female clerk. 

"Good day, Ma'am...?" Bearing a questioning eye, the female clerk remained polite as she hinted on what to address the two unfamiliar faces. 

"Zhou." 

"Miss Zhou, I apologize to inform you but we only cater clients who've made their appointments with us." Even without checking their list of clients for the day, the female clerk politely informed as she bowed her head deeply as a gesture of humbleness. 

Despite Zoey and Cora Ma wearing simple attire, the female clerk didn't treat them less than what she treated the rest. It just so happened that they have a strict protocol. Hence, she couldn't allow them to go further. 

At the same time as the clerk apologized to Zoey and Cora Ma, Clara Wei and friends already came in and heard the entire apology. Of course, this gave Clara Wei's lackey the chance to snicker in mockery. 

Upon grasping the current dilemma, the corner of Clara Wei's lips hooked up slightly before she came in to save the day. "Oh, they're with me." 

Since it was Clara Wei's second time visiting the shop, the clerks already knew her. When the female clerk heard that Zoey was acquainted with Clara Wei, she smiled and nodded her head. 

"This way, please." She gestured, leading the group of ladies to the waiting area. 

"Pfft—! I knew it! She didn't book an appointment and thinks she can get her way in everything."

"How shameless. It's true that even if you dress the poor with expensive jewellery and clothes, they are and will always be what they are. Pfft—!"

"*sigh* If not for Miss Wei, they would be escorted out!" One after another, Clara Wei's lackey expressed their disdain to Zoey that were walking behind them. 

Meanwhile, despite the fact that Cora Ma was displeased at these unjust remarks thrown at her friend, she could not voice her thoughts out as they had the point about 'if not for Clara Wei, they would be escorted out'. 

"Z, I thought you..." Cora Ma glanced at Zoey, who was scratching the back of her head as she sucked her teeth. 

"Yes, I did. Alas, I think I asked the wrong person to do the proper booking." Shaking her head, Zoey was relieved that Clara Wei was around to save her from trouble going around the mall. 

In another perspective, Clara Wei's presence wasn't really useless.. Hence, Zoey couldn't care less about the buzzing of her lackeys.